[Intro] [sound: heavy hammer strikes on an anvil, chain rattling, distant horn of Minas Tirith] [Verse 1] I grew up in stone where the blades are forged, Where every night the hammer’s echo roared. Seven tiers of rock, seven walls against the dark, Every dawn is just another horn’s sharp mark. My father said: “You’re our shield and our sword,” But what’s a shield if you can’t face the horde? The Ring in my palm is a coal from the forge, It whispers: “You can light the fire, go all the way.” [Pre-Chorus] Clash of bars, the gates’ low creak, The city breathes, the city waits to speak. In my hand a shard of flame, Burning me from the inside, tearing up my name. [Chorus] I swore to guard, I swore to stand like stone, Now I’m the traitor to the land I’ve known. The Ring whispers: “Take it, save them at any cost,” But the cost is my honor, my voice, my peace, lost. [Verse 2] I hear the distant forge’s heavy call, Like the city beats a drum against the wall. Spears and shields, ballistae on the keep, But they’re not enough to hold the tide that’s deep. The Ring insists: “Enough of steel and stone, One wave will wash away the shadows, all alone.” And I almost believed this burning, hungry light, Almost forgot I’m standing at the edge tonight. [Pre-Chorus] Clash of bars, the gates’ low creek, The city breathes, the city waits to speak. In my hand a shard of flame, Burning me from the inside, tearing up my name. [Chorus] I swore to guard, I swore to stand like stone, Now I’m the traitor to the land I’ve known. The Ring whispers: “Take it, save them at any cost,” But the cost is my honor, my voice, my peace, lost. [Bridge] [sound: hammer strikes fade out, only heavy breathing and a single chain link clinking remain] One strike and silence takes the hall. One breath and I’ve grown old after all. I realized too late the truth that cuts so deep: The Ring doesn’t give—it only takes, it steals while you sleep. And I gave it everything I ever called my own. [Outro] [sound: final hammer blow, distant horn, fading echo in stone halls] Let them judge me. Let them say I fell. But I wanted to save them. I just wanted to save them all.